☕️ Game of Thrones: Negeri Sembilan

1. MARKET SUMMARY 📈

2. NUMBERS AT A GLANCE 🔢

31st out of 72 countries – The “Inbreeding by Country 2026” study by the World Population Review ranked Malaysia 31st out of 72 countries for consanguineous marriages, or unions between close relatives. The data revealed that 6% of marriages in Malaysia are between cousins or close relatives. The only other Southeast Asian country on the list was Cambodia, which also has a 6% rate. Pakistan ranked the highest among the countries evaluated, with a rate of 61.2%, followed by Kuwait at 54.3% and Qatar at 54%. Results of the study available here.

A 50% higher divorce rate – The question of whether a woman should take her husband’s last name has recently been trending on X, along with the statistic that couples who do not share a last name have higher divorce rates than those who do, with the divorces also happening about 30% earlier. The data comes from a 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center, which also found that 79% of women take their husband’s last name.

36,374 in three years – According to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, an average of 1,000 births a month are registered late, totalling over 36,000 cases between 2023 and 2025. As of Mar 31 this year, a further 1,970 cases were recorded. The minister urged parents and guardians to be more responsible and aware of their obligation to register their children’s births on time to avoid documentation issues in the future, such as when accessing government assistance that requires a MyKad. Currently, birth registration must be completed within 60 days in Peninsular Malaysia, while the period is 40 days for Sabah and Sarawak.

3. IN MALAYSIA 🇲🇾

Game of Thrones: Negeri Sembilan
Gov shuts down claim: The Negeri Sembilan state government has firmly rejected a declaration claiming the removal of ruler Tuanku Muhriz, stating that it holds no legal or constitutional basis. MB Aminuddin Harun has confirmed that the state does not recognise the attempt, stressing that the individual behind the declaration no longer holds any official authority to make such a move. The statement follows clarification that former Sungai Ujong Undang Mubarak Dohak had already been removed from his post prior to issuing the claim. Authorities also pointed out that his dismissal, which took effect on May 13, 2025, was supported by customary bodies and later endorsed by the Dewan Keadilan dan Undang after findings of 33 breaches of adat responsibilities. Officials maintain that the current leadership structure remains unchanged, with Tuanku Muhriz continuing to be recognised as the legitimate ruler of the state.

Earlier claim sparks brief attention: The controversy emerged after a press conference in Seremban on Apr 19, where a declaration calling for the removal of Tuanku Muhriz was reportedly made and circulated online. However, the claim was quickly questioned by legal experts, who said it carried no standing under the Negeri Sembilan constitution and was procedurally flawed. Sources also raised doubts over Mubarak’s authority to act, given that his removal had already been affirmed days earlier on Apr 17.

Perak’s elephant sanctuary takes shape
Work has officially begun on the first phase of the Perak Elephant Sanctuary, marking a major step in the state’s push towards wildlife conservation and eco-tourism. Announced on Apr 20, the RM52.14 mil phase is already underway with early groundwork such as land surveys, utility mapping and soil investigations in progress. These initial works, costing RM500,000, are being handled by the Public Works Department through appointed consultants. State executive councillor Teh Kok Lim said the phase will focus on building essential infrastructure, including administrative facilities, elephant enclosures and staff quarters, setting the foundation for a fully functioning conservation hub by 2030.

The sanctuary is located at Batu 11 along the East-West Highway in Hulu Perak, where it spans 79.74 hectares and sits close to the natural habitat of wild elephants, making it ideal for rehabilitation efforts. The second phase will shift towards eco-tourism development, turning the sanctuary into a destination for education, research and public awareness. Teh said the project is designed with careful planning to balance development with environmental protection, ensuring the sustainability of the elephant ecosystem. Beyond conservation, the initiative is also expected to benefit local communities through socio-economic opportunities and ongoing engagement, positioning the sanctuary as both a state landmark and a long-term investment in nature.

E-invoicing delay offers breathing room
The government has decided to push back the rollout of e-invoicing for micro, small and medium enterprises, giving businesses more time to adjust amid ongoing global economic pressures. Initially set to take off in Jan 2027, the implementation will now be delayed by 12 months to Dec 31, 2027, for companies earning between RM1 mil and RM5 mil annually. During this period, businesses will be allowed to issue consolidated e-invoices without facing penalties, offering some flexibility as they navigate rising costs. The move comes after feedback sessions with industry players, with the government aiming to ease operational strain and ensure business continuity during a period marked by economic uncertainty.

Alongside the delay, the government is introducing additional support to help businesses stay afloat. An RM5 bil allocation under Syarikat Jaminan Pembiayaan Perniagaan will provide financing guarantees of up to 80% for sectors such as construction, agriculture, logistics and tourism, with repayment periods up to 10 years. There are also plans to consider import duty and sales tax exemptions for certain goods affected by disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict, particularly those unable to complete export processes. PM Anwar noted that global energy supply issues, rising logistics costs and higher input prices continue to impact businesses across the board, adding that the government remains focused on strengthening resilience and will keep working closely with financial institutions and industry players to protect jobs and support long-term stability.

Shorts:

1. End of the road for fugitive
   The escaped detainee from Sungai Buloh Prison has been recaptured after spending 11 days on the run, hiding in forests and construction sites. The 24-year-old Pakistani man, who fled custody on Apr 9 while disembarking from a police truck, survived by staying out of sight during the day and seeking shelter at night. Authorities tracked him down on Apr 18 in Gombak following six days of intelligence work, with assistance from the Pakistani Embassy. According to Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban, the suspect also attempted to flee again during arrest but was stopped. He now faces multiple charges, including robbery and immigration offences.

2. Tanco rally raises eyebrows
   Bursa Malaysia has called on Tanco Holdings Bhd to explain a sharp surge in its share price that pushed the stock to record highs on Apr 20. The exchange is seeking clarification on whether any undisclosed developments or rumours may have driven the rally, while also reminding the company of its obligation to disclose material information promptly. Tanco’s shares climbed to RM1.72 during the session, giving it a market value of about RM10.5 bil and an eye-catching valuation of over 1,000 times earnings. The stock has gained 47% so far this year, even as its latest reported earnings stood at RM4.19 mil.

4. AROUND THE WORLD 🌎

Blockade intercept or armed piracy?
US seizes Iranian cargo ship, Iran cries foul
US forces have intercepted the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman as part of their naval blockade. According to US President Donald Trump, the ship was seized by the US Navy after it failed to respond to a warning to stop. Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that the US Navy vessel stopped the ship by “blowing a hole in the engine room” before the cargo ship was boarded by US Marine teams. Check out footage of the raid here.

Iran has cried foul, with the country’s top joint military command calling the intercept an “act of armed piracy” and a violation of the ceasefire currently in effect. Iran has vowed retaliation and announced that it no longer plans to attend the next round of US-Iran peace talks. The decision comes after Trump ordered his negotiators to Islamabad, where the talks were supposed to take place. The delegation would be led by US Vice President JD Vance and includes Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

The seizure of the Touska has affected international shipping, with just one ship exiting the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz while only two entered over a 12-hour period, a fraction of what is usually about 130 vessels a day.

Israeli soldier desecrates Christian sculpture, Netanyahu condemns act
An Israeli soldier was photographed using the blunt end of an axe to strike a sculpture of Jesus Christ on the cross, leading to outrage and widespread condemnation. Israeli officials have acknowledged the photo, which was taken in the southern Lebanese village of Debel, is real and have launched an investigation. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the act, saying it went against Jewish values of tolerance. He also promised that the soldier would be punished. The Israeli military is “working to assist the community in restoring the statue to its original place”. Debel is one of dozens of villages in the south of Lebanon under effective Israeli occupation. Check out the footage here.

In Asia
Humanoid robot breaks half-marathon world record
A humanoid robot competing against flesh-and-blood runners has broken the world record at a Beijing half-marathon in Yizhuang, China. The winning robot, which was equipped with an autonomous navigation system and sponsored by smartphone maker Honor, completed the 21km course in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, with an average speed of 25km/h, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Not only was this far faster than the fastest human runner in the race, but it also surpasses the current men’s world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds, held by Ugandan runner Jacob Kiplimo. The record-breaking robot also marks significant progress over last year’s robot-runner offerings, which fell repeatedly and took more than two hours and 40 minutes to finish. See the participants here - some cute, some outright Terminator-scary.

Japan revises tsunami warning following 7.7-magnitude quake
The revised warning, downgraded to a tsunami advisory, comes hours after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan. In the aftermath of the quake, Japanese authorities urged citizens to stay away from the coast, which saw tsunami waves as high as 80cm detected two hours after the quake. A government official reported that there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. However, the government also issued a warning of a heightened risk of a megaquake.
Fun fact: The Richter scale measures earthquake magnitude on a logarithmic basis, meaning each whole-number increase (e.g. from 5.0 to 6.0) represents a 10x increase in measured amplitude. In terms of energy release, a whole-number increase represents 32x more energy release.

Philippines, US, allies start military exercises, China displeased
Philippine and US forces will carry out maritime strike drills on a remote Philippine island near Taiwan this year as part of their annual exercises. Manila’s military chief said that the exercises, known as “Balikatan” or “shoulder-to-shoulder”, will test the allies’ readiness under “real-world conditions”. The exercises, which will run from Apr 20 to May 8, will also be the largest yet in terms of participating countries, with Australia returning and Canada, France, New Zealand, and Japan joining for the first time. This turnout highlights Manila’s growing network of security partnerships. In response, China warned against military cooperation that could undermine trust and deepen division in the region. A government spokesperson said that what the Asia-Pacific region needed was peace and tranquility, and not the “introduction of external forces to create division and confrontation”.

India, South Korea plan USD50 bil trade push covering energy to semiconductors
The two nations will be boosting their economic ties by expanding cooperation in energy, critical minerals, shipbuilding, semiconductors, and steel, with a goal of doubling their trade to USD50 bil (RM197.62 bil) by 2030. Seoul also seeks greater access to the world’s fastest-growing major economy, just as India wants trade between the two nations to be more balanced. Currently, the trade between the two is valued at around USD27 bil. This follows a visit by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to India with around 200 South Korean businesspeople, where one of the deals struck was a 6-million-tonne-per-annum steel plant joint venture in Odisha.

5. FOR YOUR EYES 📺

1. There are disproportionately more Malaysian Indians who are poor as compared to their population. History below explains why it happened - history doesn’t disappear, but it lingers.

2. A recent update to the sale of government-linked properties whereby disposal properties above RM20 mil by GLCs and GLICs must be to companies with at least 50% bumiputera equity ownership, up from the previous 30%. The intention is good to increase bumiputera participation, but the unintended consequences ain’t good. Read more here.